April 25, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Curriculum, Assessment & Professional Practices Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Key Points of the Briefing: 

• We are bringing forward a new PreCalculus textbook: Demana Precalculus: Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic, AP edition, 11th edition, 2024

• Selection committee piloted and chose the book and also sought student voice in the selection process

• Well written, worked out examples

• Aligned with our current curriculum

• MyMathLab provides online access to the book along with videos, additional instructional tools, extra practice, and customizable homework

• AP edition accepted by College Board and UCONN

 

• Cost- $27,641.06 (including shipping)

• 60 textbooks (2 classroom sets) with MyMathLab access

• 4 Teachers’ Editions

• 90 MyMathLab licenses

• This would be purchased out of our current budget

 

Rationale: 

Key Points of the Briefing: 

• We are bringing forward the Algebra II curriculum for approval.

  • Algebra II continues on from the work of Algebra I where students move from linear functions to quadratics and other more challenging functions.  Students complete seven units including: Sequences & Functions, Introduction to Quadratics, Quadratic Equations, Polynomials & Rational Functions, Complex Numbers & Rational Exponents, Exponential Equations & Functions, Transformations of Functions

  • Students will use problems-solving and critical-thinking skills.

  • Illustrative Mathematics is the core instructional resource we use.

Rationale:  Summary of the Briefing:
We are bringing forward the Environmental Science Curriculum. 
This course addresses the global ecosystem and the ways local, federal, and international policies regulate how human beings use natural resources on Earth. This class emphasizes environmental issues and some of the potential ways to address them. Multimedia resources, fieldwork, laboratories, and case studies will be used to investigate environmental issues.

We are bringing forward the Forensics Curriculum.
This elective course is designed for students with an interest in the field of forensics.  Students taking the course should have a strong understanding of biological concepts (e.g., the structure of DNA).  Forensic scientists are responsible for analyzing evidence collected at crime scenes by legal officials.  Students will process and analyze evidence using techniques grounded in biology, chemistry, and physics.  The course will include famous crimes throughout history, how science has been used to solve these crimes, and ethical and legal issues involved within the discipline.  

We are bringing forward the Physical Science Curriculum.
This course is designed to be an alternative to the traditional high school chemistry course.  Students taking the course will be asked to use the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices to learn about the Scientific Method, Atomic Structure, Chemical Reactions, Carbon Chemistry, Heat and Energy, and Earth Systems. 


 

Rationale:  We are bringing forward a new AP Environmental Science textbook.
Environmental Science for the AP Course 4e by Friedland and Relyea

• AP Environmental Science (APES) students are currently using a textbook that was purchased at a time when the APES curriculum was substantially different from the current curriculum. 
• In 2019 the APES underwent extensive changes to both the topics covered and the end of year AP exam. 

Pre- 2019 Current 


 

• The new proposed textbook aligns 100% with the AP Environmental Science Course and Exam Description (CED).  There is no extra information. There is no missing information.   
• The textbook asks students to engage in the The AP Environmental Science framework practices which include: Concept Explanation, Visual Representations, Text Analysis, Data Analysis, Mathematical Routines, and Environmental Solutions. 
• A full complement of teacher focused resources are provided. 
• The book offers an array of additional benefits:
  • The book contains Unit-Opening Case Studies designed to spark discussion.
  • The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of topics across the various units.  
  • The book provides numerous opportunities for both unit level and cumulative practice for the AP exam. 

Textbook Cost 


 

Rationale:  Mr. Turek, BHS Science Teacher, will give a brief update on the Korean Collaborative Program.